Author: Kion Kashefi

For the overwhelming majority of investors, there is very little to be gained from watching any of the pundits on television offering their advice on how to “play the market like a pro” in order to achieve rapid wealth accumulation and long-term financial security. The truth is that timing the market is unbelievably difficult and unlikely to be consistently done well by even the shrewdest of investors, and picking stocks on an individual basis is similarly difficult. This runs counter to the advice given by the advisors screaming at investors through the television, and the main reason for this is that the truth about investing is not really entertaining enough to make for “good TV.”

“The reality is that most investors would benefit most from low-fee index funds, but that is not really exciting advice and it will certainly not keep you tuning in day after day,” said Arturo Alvarez Demalde. “There is a caveat, of course, that every investor is different and therefore has different needs, but in most circumstances investors would be wise to investigate low-index funds rather than following the advice of someone on TV.”

Many shrewd investors would likely agree with Demalde, and Randi Glazer might be able to shed some light on the benefit on taking a pragmatic approach to investing. After all, the television pundits have a sort of carnival barker quality that should make anyone hesitant to follow their financial advice. When it comes to getting the best possible return, low-fee index funds are certainly not the most exciting, but an investor seeking excitement can turn to a number of entertainment activities that are far more thrilling than anything that can be accomplished through the stock market.

It is widely understood that it is extraordinarily important to adopt a diversified investment strategy that insulates the investor from the various pitfalls associated with economic trends in varying industries, but that does not mean it is particularly easy to adopt such a strategy. As Fahad Al-Rajaan sees it, the overwhelming majority of investors never develop a comprehensive understanding of the many options at their disposal, leaving major investment opportunity gaps that limit the return on what could be an impressive and lucrative strategy.

While it is simply not feasible to give international investment advice without understanding each specific investor’s existing portfolio along with their short- and long-term investment goals, Fahad Al-Rajaan has noticed that many investors are failing to take advantage of international business growth, especially as it relates to international tech startups that may not be as heralded as their counterparts in the United States. With this lack of hype, there are many in the international investment world who see this as a largely untapped market that will be every bit as successful as any other tech startup and will yield a much more impressive return on the initial investment due to the limited fanfare.

Technology is not the only industry in which international markets are producing startups poised for monumental growth for both short- and long-term investments, and Fahad Al-Rajaan suggests that investors who are interested in taking a more diversified approach should meet with their financial advisor to discuss international market opportunities. Of course, Fahad Al-Rajaan also offered a word of warning regarding this strategy, as not all financial advisors are knowledgeable enough to ensure the kind of immense success available through international investments, so it is essential to first evaluate the advisor’s experience and understanding of international markets before entrusting them to develop a personal investment strategy.

Of course, it is sometimes advisable for investors to work with a separate financial advisor whose specific area of expertise is in the international markets. According to Fahad Al-Rajaan, there are many advisors who hold licenses that enable them to offer specialized advice regarding investing abroad, and he has long emphasized the importance of ensuring that all financial dealings are done with strict adherence to all of the various regulations that apply to different markets, international or otherwise.

Fahad Al-Rajaan also noted that international investors seem to be ahead of the curve compared to their North American counterparts, with Australian investors represented quite well in terms of their willingness to adopt an international strategy that includes a variety of markets outside of their home country. This diversified strategy has paid off handsomely for these investors, further illustrating the importance of taking a multi-faceted approach to investing that includes businesses in a number of industries and locales. In many cases, this particular strategy is considered quite stable and ensures investors can count on a sizable return on their investment independent of unforeseen economic troubles or circumstances.

International investments are not without drawbacks, however, and one of the most frequently cited issues preventing investors from participating in international markets is the relatively high cost of entry. While this is not always the case, there is a reason why many investors see an international strategy as something that is beyond their reach due to cost. Despite the sometimes lofty costs associated with entering a particular international market, the potential return and the enhanced investment diversification is more than worth the initial costs. This is especially true when an international strategy is employed over a long-term basis, as a diversified strategy that includes investments at home and abroad are simply better positioned to yield the kind of return that leads to sustained financial security.

Dave Ramsey, Zig Ziglar, Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison; these are just a few names linked with the brilliant business minds that changed business and America forever. “If you want to change the way you think, study those who think differently than you,” said business expert Ralph Slaske. To add to Slaske’s quote, I’d like to add a few words of my own: If they are in life where you want to be.

Studying business geniuses is a great idea, but why would you? What can you learn from these people? For one thing, you’ll learn principles that aren’t taught in school (but why?!), and you’ll also learn how to look at failure and loss differently. The majority of people believe that if something doesn’t work, then we need to run away from it and find something else that will. Someone with a business has learned that if something doesn’t work, try again, then try again, then try again in a different way. Attack the problem in different angles. If your solution didn’t change the problem, change your thinking about the problem.

It is an unfortunate truth that it is somewhat rare for there to be an overlap between an individual’s passion and their source of income. One of the more common refrains among those engaged in some kind of recreational activity often has to do with a desire to somehow generate income through a passionate pursuit that they truly enjoy at all times. While many will say this with more than a tinge of regret and mistakenly accept that gainful employment is not always fun, there are those who realize that there is very little preventing them from making a lucrative career out of their hobbies and passions.

Jody Rookstool is a perfect example of this. After beginning to share her crafting and DIY projects with friends and family, she was able to create a viable business that has enabled her to devote more time to something she deeply enjoys. This is true of any endeavor, and though there is certainly some risk at the outset of any business venture, it is often a risk worth taking.

It seems to be the case that these businesses are successful mainly because of the evident passion of those involved. These businesses tend to excel simply because the people in charge are more than happy to work on a project that reflects their interests and allows them to do what they love all the time rather than in just those few hours that are not devoted to a traditional job.

Richard Thaler has always been an interesting figure in economics, and there is a lot to learn from the recently released memoir detailing his professional life, which Thaler appropriately titled “Misbehaving.” Thaler, now tenured at the University of Chicago, has long provided a number of insights into behavioral economics, and there is a great deal investors can learn from these insights. This is especially true for those who do not realize how human nature affects every aspect of the decision-making process, including those related to our investments and long-term financial plans.

Perhaps the most important lesson is to understand how we make decisions based on the way a situation is framed. Thaler uses a number of examples to show how irrational we are with regard to financial matters, using simple situations such as an individual who would not pay $10 to have his lawn mowed by someone else but would also not accept $20 to mow a neighbor’s lawn. There are obvious human errors in the way we value the things, and the way these things are framed is often the sole determining factor. For another example, a patient who is told that they have a 95 percent chance of surviving a surgery is much more likely to go ahead with the procedure than the person who is told that there is a 5 percent chance of dying.

So what does all of this have to do with finance? Well, it is necessary to understand how information is presented to us and to make decisions based on the actual information rather than the manner of presentation. This requires a willingness to thoroughly evaluate each opportunity, and it also requires that we begin to place more trust in the advanced metrics that eliminate presentation and focus solely on the pure data available. As humans, we like to believe that we are able to think rationally at all times, but there are too many times in which we make poor decisions –- financial or otherwise –- due to the way our choices are presented to us.

In reading Thaler’s book, it is clear that we have a lot to learn. Understanding how we make decisions and the manner in which we are affected by behavioral economics is key to overcoming our own inherent flaws. The process through which we overcome these flaws is quite difficult, but it is ultimately worthwhile for ensuring consistently sound financial decisions.

Consumer demand has been pushing a great deal of technological change in recent years, and that demand is finally making its way into the financial sector. The development of a number of financial technology services has made it easier for consumers to manage their finances in a manner that they are able to completely control. As a result, traditional banking institutions are being forced to adapt quickly or risk being forced out of the marketplace entirely. This is a positive development, as the enhanced transparency for consumer finance will ultimately stimulate a great deal of change in the way financial services are delivered.

There are a few obvious examples –- Paypal, for instance — of financial technology companies establishing a significant hold on the market recently, and these companies are not just making financial management more convenient for consumers, as they are also changing the way financial institutions do business entirely. It seems clear that consumers will no longer be dealing with a single financial institution to handle all of their financial needs; instead, consumers will be able to identify the most ideal platform for their specific financial goals and will be able to invest accordingly.

Companies such as Robinhood and Simple have made it easier for consumers to control their personal finances and to modify the options at their disposal so that they are suitable for their unique goals and needs. It is therefore the case that these financial technology startups are not just making personal finance easier and more accessible, but they are also creating a highly personalized option that makes money management more effective over both the short- and long-term.

Of the most interesting developments among these financial technology startups is the advent of the robo-adviser, which has threatened to make personal investment corporations seemingly obsolete. The robo-advisement process is quite simple, as the automated system invests according to your goals and input with regard to diversification, much in the same way as a personal finance manager would but without the added costs.

The world of finance is clearly changing, and technology startups are finally entering the financial world to stimulate the kind of change that is long overdue. The services that are now being offered by these tech startups will ultimately prove to be exceptionally beneficial to consumers who want more convenient and effective personal finance options, and it is now up to the established financial institutions to either adapt or dissolve.

While most observers have taken the news that the major United States automakers are enjoying record monthly sales as a sign of the growing strength and continued improvement of the U.S. economy, there are some other effects that should be considered before getting overly excited. Yes, the dollar has regained some of its strength and this has buoyed concerned consumers, and declining gas prices have certainly encouraged the increase in car sales, but it is important to avoid overlooking the fact that this perceived consumer strength will very likely lead the United States Federal Reserve to consider raising interest rates.

It is for this reason that the true causes of the surge in auto sales should be evaluated more closely to determine whether the increase is indeed due to the current strength of the dollar and not simply a confluence of factors that boosted sales above the norm but do not hint at sustained success. The fact that, for example, many regions throughout the country have suffered through extended winters may have led to many potential buyers delaying their purchase. After all, automakers are coming off of a very poor sales month in April, so perhaps this recent May increase may be nothing more than a product of buyers waiting out the inclement weather before investing in a new vehicle.

The fact that the financial crisis kept many consumers away from the automobile industry for many years may also have something to do with this, and it is fair to say that consumer confidence is not exactly at an all-time high within the auto industry. To draw any sweeping conclusions over the strength of the entire United States economy due to one very strong month of sales following a very poor month seems to be a potentially significant error. This is especially true if the Federal Reserve is indeed considering a raise in interest rates simply due to a momentary increase in one sector, however important or sizable that sector may be.

Ultimately, consumers should be pleased that auto sales are on the rise, but the long-term health of the auto industry is hardly secure, and the idea that the automobile sector should serve as any reflection of the United States economy is incredibly flawed. The dollar may be stronger and more consumers may be buying cars, but to say that the economy is fully recovered and thriving to the point in which interest rates should be raised is a frightening proposition.

Much has been made of the long-overdue thawing of relations between the United States and Cuba, and the matter has remained a somewhat surprisingly contentious issue among parties on both sides. This is going to be a long process of normalization due to the resistance that is still apparent on each side, but the economic changes that should come from all of this ought to prove overwhelmingly positive in the long run. It should be plainly evident, however, that the majority of people on both sides of this issue see an economic opportunity in Cuba that should prove mutually beneficial for both nations. The issue is how to optimize these opportunities in a way that equally satisfies the leaders of both the United States and Cuba.

The trade embargo has had an undeniable effect on the economy of Cuba, but the point of the embargo was to stimulate the type of political change that would push Fidel Castro and his regime out of power. The embargo and the other financial sanctions imposed upon Cuba have not been able to accomplish this despite the effects on Cuba’s diplomatic relations with other countries, and the political impact on the perception of the United States in Latin American countries has been too great for this to continue to go on. Improved relations and, eventually, the lifting of the trade embargo, should aid in reducing the anti-American sentiment that has spread throughout Latin America.

Private enterprise has been opening up in Cuba since Fidel’s brother, Raul, assumed power in 2008, but the thaw in relations between the island nation and the United States should bring about more opportunities for growth while simultaneously loosening the grip of the Castro government’s state monopolies. The issue facing Cuba and the Castro regime, however, is determining how increasing economic liberalization will affect the regime’s ability to retain power. This is likely the reason that Cuba has thus far focused on improving diplomatic relations before discussing broad economic issues, as there is a chance that rebuilt relations could accomplish what the sanctions had initially intended by pushing the Castro regime out of power in Cuba.

As political fodder, the upcoming Presidential election should see plenty of discussion regarding relations between the United States and Cuba. From a purely economic standpoint, a thaw would be mutually beneficial for both countries, as Cuba would undoubtedly see its economy improve tremendously while the United States could enhance its political standing among the Latin American nations in which there has been a growing sentiment of anti-Americanism.